Combined shoetree and shoehorn



Nov. 29, 1938. c, E. HARRIMAN 2,138,789

COMBINED SHOETREE AND SHOEHORN Filed Oct. 6, 1936 wfitornag PatentedNov. 29, 1938 PATENT OFFICE COMBINED SHOETREE AND SHOEHORN Charles E.Harriman, West Bridgewater, Mass, assignor to Jones & Vining, Inc.,Brockton, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 6,1936, Serial No. 104,199

1 Claim.

My present invention is a novel and improved shoe tree, which comprisesas an element a shoe horn constituting a part of the shoe tree apparatusbut usable independently therewith.

Also I have improved a ventilated shoe tree construction which, althoughpreferably utilized with my combined shoe tree and horn structurecooperating therewith to permit the shoe tree to be housed therein andhence more compact, when desired, is also a distinctly novel feature.

Heretofore it has been customary to make shoe trees for holding andstretching shoes when not in use orwhen on display, or the like, bynumerous devices which will fit readily and easily within the shoes andthen be extended to hold the parts under tension to prevent curling,stretching, or the like.

In my present invention I have provided novel, efiicient, and simplemeans for acting as a shoe tree, fitting within the shoe, and thenreadily expanding, together with a simple construction for adjustment oflength to fit different sized footwear, as well also as constituting oneelement of the shoe tree with capacity for use as a shoe horn; thusproviding in a single article both a shoe tree and a shoe horn, eachcomplete and each cooperating with the entire structure, together withthe length adjustment feature as well also as with the improvedventilating feature which facilitates compactness in the atricle whennot in use and for traveling, packaging, and shipment.

In carrying out my invention I provide a wooden forepart suitable to fitshoes with which they are to be used, said forepart being preferablyformed with a longitudinal slot in which the metallic part of theapparatus can be partly folded or housed and which will also facilitatethe ventilating of the forepart, preferably intersecting thelongitudinal groove with transverse grooves to provide circulationthroughout the entire bottom portion of the forepart. Threaded into theforepart is a bolt or member with facility for adjustment of the heelportions, to fit difierent sizes, which comprises a toggle member and aFig. 2 illustrates the same applied to a shoe shown in side view;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view thru the fore part illustrating thearticle in folded position, and

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the use of the same 5 as a shoe horn.

As shown in the drawing, I prefer to utilize a usual wooden forepart iof suitable contour to fit Within standard makes of shoes, within theusual limits for different sizes and styles, forming the same with alongitudinal saw-cut or groove 2 lengthwise of the forepart I which isintersected by a plurality of cross-sawcuts 3--3 to thus provide an opencirculation from the bottom of the shoe when the shoe tree is in use.

In the forepart i I provide a threaded recess 5 into which is fitted thecorrespondingly threaded portion 9 of a bolt l0, whereby the threadedportion 9 may be turned in the recess 5 to lengthen and shorten theworking portion of the shoe tree, as desired. To the head of the bolt I0is secured a toggle member I 2 by a pivot pin or rivet l3, and to theopposite end of the toggle I2 is the other member I5 of a toggle alsosecured to 12 by a bolt or rivet l4. One end of the toggle member l5 haspivotally secured thereto a heel-engaging plate It mounted to rock onthe end of the toggle l5 in any suitable manner, as herein shown. beingsecured by a pivot ll thru a pair of rearwardly extending ears !8--I8 sothat the plate I6 will automatically seat itself in contact with theheel portion of a shoe outlined at in which the shoe tree is fitted.

The opposite end of the toggle arm I5 is provided with a plate 2| whichconstitutes the hand or finger-engaging means for operating the toggleas well also as constituting the shoehorn element of my improved shoetree.

In operation, the shoe tree is fitted within the shoe of the part Iwithin the forepart of the shoe and the plate I6 near or adjacent thetoggle is straightened by forcing backwardly on the hand-hold 2|,placing the heel plate It and forepart under tension. Lifting the plate2| releases the same and permits withdrawal of the shoe tree. Rotationof the threaded portion 9 of the bolt it! will lengthen or shorten theshoe tree to fit shoes of varying sizes.

When it is desired to use same as a shoe horn the toggle members arebent backwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, with the forepart l and the togglelevers as a handle; whereupon the plate 2| being curved to facilitateshoe horn action is fitted within the heel of the shoe and serves as ashoe horn.

As shown in Fig. 3, the parts are collapsed and may be enclosed into avery compact space by the housing of the toggle levers within thehorizontal slot 2 while said slot acts as a ventilating means for theinsole of the shoe, permitting air circulation thru the cross-recesses3-3, while also maintaining the shoe upper in proper tension andcontour.

While I have shown a'wooden forepart, it will be course be appreciatedthat metal, open work, or other material may be utilized, and of varyingcontour, and the toggles, or equivalents, may be otherwise arranged.

I believe that my invention of a combined shoe tree and shoe horn inwhich each part cooperates with the other is a distinct novelty in thisart, and I wish to claim the same herein broadly. I also believe that myparticular ventilating feature is a novelty, and I wish to claim thesame herein.

I claim:

A shoe tree having a wooden forepart formed with a central longitudinalgroove and a plurality of ventilating cross-grooves in the bottomportion, a heel plate and a toggle to expand and contract the tree, onetoggle member being adjustably secured to the forepart and foldable intosaid longitudinal groove, and the opposite toggle member being pivotallyattached to the heel memher, said heel toggle member having one endformed as a shoe horn.

CHARLES E. I-IARRIMAN.

